JONESBORO--As he welcomed the over 1,000 candidates and catechumens who expressed their desire to become full members of the Catholic Church this Easter, Archbishop John F. Donoghue stressed the importance of support and encouragement for them as they continue their journey of faith through this Easter season.

Liturgical continuity is stressed throughout the four separate ceremonies, in which candidates and catechumens of various ages and backgrounds from the north, south, east and west regions are presented to the archbishop. The homily, prayers of the faithful and songs are the same for each of the four liturgies, held over two weekends, formally called the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion.

Three hundred seventy-three individuals are catechumens, individuals who are not baptized and who will receive all the sacraments of initiation, including baptism, at Easter Vigil services. Nine hundred forty-seven are candidates, baptized Christians who will receive the sacraments of confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

The opening processional is led by children carrying incense, as well as cross and candle bearers, and banners in colors representing the various regions.

Before the ceremony, each candidate and catechumen sign the Book of Elect, declaring his intention to continue his faith journey throughout the Easter season. The Book of Elect is then processed into the church by the parish representatives, ahead of Archbishop Donoghue.

The congregation begins each ceremony with the gathering song, "Here I Am, Lord," led by cantors Janis Griffin and Ralph Freeman, a symbol of the candidates' and catechumens' desire to enter into the Church and present themselves to God.

After a Scripture reading, responsorial psalm and Gospel, Archbishop Donoghue addressed not only the catechumens and candidates, but also the rest of the congregation in his homily at each of the four liturgies.

"For many here, the already baptized and confirmed, the journey through this Lent will end in the successful renewal of something that has been long possessed and long cherished," he said. "But for many, for the catechumens and converts, this journey, this Lent of 1998, will end in an event hoped for, sought after and now almost achieved for the first and last and only time--your own baptism and confirmation."

"For you especially, the Church lifts her voice in prayer today, and beseeches her Almighty and Beloved Spouse, the Lord Jesus Christ himself, to show you...the way to be, the way to go, the way to follow, the way to victory and eternal peace.

He also urged those who are already members of the Church to support these candidates and catechumens.

"We are all here to keep you company--to encourage you at moments of stumbling, to be joyful with you at moments of understanding--to share with you all the way, the journey towards reception by the Church and full participation in her sacramental life," he said.

After his homily, the parish director for the Order of Christian Initiation, read aloud the names of the catechumens, who came forward, along with their godparents, forming a semi-circle around the archbishop.

The godparents were then asked to affirm that the catechumens have listened to the word of God, responded to it and have gathered in prayer with the Catholic community.

Next, the candidates stood at their places with their sponsors as their names were called. The sponsors were asked to affirm that the candidates have been studying the Catholic faith and reflecting upon it, as well as meeting in common prayer.

The Books of Elect were then brought, open, up to the altar and presented to the archbishop, who blessed them.

Though united with a desire to become Catholic, each individual has a different reason for becoming members of the Church. For some, it is a calling heard from God, for others, it is a desire to be united in faith with their families and for some it is the missing piece of the puzzle that makes up their being.

Catechumen Suzanne Bloomquist from Sacred Heart Church in Griffin said that God "told me the time was right."

She is excited about the Easter Vigil service where she will finally become a full member of the Church.

"It will be the most wonderful experience of my life, just to be in the Catholic community and welcomed into God's arms," she said.

Bloomquist's godmother, Carol Moran, became a Catholic in 1992, and said that hearing the song, "Here I Am, Lord," still brings tears to her eyes. She said that she thinks that converts are sometimes more faithful than those raised Catholic.

"I sometimes feel my faith is deeper than my husband's, who was raised Catholic," she said. "To me, converts seem to be almost more spiritual and prayerful and more committed because they chose to come into the Church."

For Wilber Hein, a candidate from St. George in Newnan who was baptized into the First Christian Church, becoming a Catholic will mean a new unification with his wife of 15 years.

"It will mean that we will be together for the first time spiritually," he said. "And it will be a great feeling to finally be able to receive Communion with my wife."

Diana Taylor, a catechumen from St. Theresa's in Douglasville, started coming to church because her sister, Teresa Conway, who had had foot surgery and was temporarily confined to a wheelchair, needed assistance at Mass.

"After about the tenth or twelfth time, I really liked it. I knew this is where I belonged...there was such peace I felt in the sanctuary, such a comforting feeling--it was like coming home," Taylor said.

Taylor said that during her Lenten journey, she plans to work hard to attend extra Masses and she plans to attend the parish mission at St. Theresa's.

"I've changed a lot. I've become a lot more aware of people and their needs because of this journey," she said. "It's opened my eyes and my heart."

"It's given love real meaning," she said. "It's not just lip service or something talked about, but something I can now truly see and feel."

"It's like my heart has something flowing through it for the first time," she said.

Archbishop Donoghue celebrated all four of the liturgies, which collectively presented 1,320 candidates and catechumens. The Rite of Election for the west region was held at St. Joseph Church, Marietta, on Feb. 21, the north region liturgy was held at All Saints Church, Dunwoody on Feb. 22, the ceremony for the south region was held at St. Philip Benizi Church in Jonesboro and St. Oliver Plunkett Church in Snellville hosted the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion for the east region on March 1.

AFFIRMATION -- Sponsor Nika Jemec, right, of St. Theresa, Douglasville, stands in support of candidate Laura Roran’s desire to take a place at the Eucharistic table following this Lenten season. Photos by Michael Alexander

RITE OF ELECTION -- Our Lady of Vietnam catechumen, Hgoc Trinh Ngugen, center, stands among the many catechumens and godparents gathered on the altar of St. Philip Benizi, Jonesboro.